Jordan: Boehner need not worry about a GOP coup

Wednesday

Dec 12, 2012 at 12:01 AMDec 12, 2012 at 11:59 AM

WASHINGTON - Rep. Jim Jordan yesterday dismissed as "laughable" talk of a challenge to House Speaker John Boehner's leadership position, saying there is no question in his mind that Boehner will be speaker next year.

Jessica Wehrman, The Columbus Dispatch

WASHINGTON — Rep. Jim Jordan yesterday dismissed as “laughable” talk of a challenge to House Speaker John Boehner’s leadership position, saying there is no question in his mind that Boehner will be speaker next year.

“No, no, no,” Jordan said. “Look, John Boehner’s going to be speaker. No one’s going to challenge him. I don’t see that happening at all.”

Jordan, R-Urbana, was responding to dissension that has emerged among House conservatives after four fellow conservatives — Reps. Justin Amash, R-Mich., Tim Huelskamp, R-Kan., Walter Jones, R-N.C., and David Schweikert, R-Ariz. — were stripped of their committee positions this month for not supporting their party leaders enough. The Washington Times reported yesterday that “several rebellious Republicans” will not vote to keep Boehner, who is from West Chester, as speaker.

Although Boehner has denied suggestions of punishing members for not adequately voting with leadership, Huelskamp told a Capitol Hill publication that Boehner warned GOP lawmakers that “we’re watching all your votes.”

“It was a message to the Republican Conference in general, especially the comment today that there may be more punishment coming if you don’t vote the right way,” Huelskamp told The Hill.

Jordan, who represents a district that abuts Boehner’s, said he disagreed with the idea of stripping members of committee assignments for voting patterns. He said he is hopeful that some of the four could get back on their committees or perhaps be assigned to another.

Conservative members are also concerned that any solution to the so-called “fiscal cliff” will involve tax increases. Jordan said he will not support any solution that includes tax increases, but he does not think that that will endanger Boehner.

“I am not supporting a tax increase,” he said. “I will not vote for that.”

jwehrman@dispatch.com

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